Chemistry

Question Analysis
This question assesses the student's ability to determine the empirical formula from the percent composition of a compound.

Key Concept Explanation
To find the empirical formula, convert the percent composition to moles, then find the simplest whole-number ratio of these moles.

Step-by-step Solution
1. Assume a 100 g sample: C: 53.3 g, H: 11.1 g, O: 35.6 g.
2. Convert grams to moles: C: 53.3 g / 12.01 g/mol ≈ 4.44 mol, H: 11.1 g / 1.008 g/mol ≈ 11.01 mol, O: 35.6 g / 16.00 g/mol ≈ 2.23 mol.
3. Divide each mole value by the smallest mole value (2.23): C: 4.44 / 2.23 ≈ 2, H: 11.01 / 2.23 ≈ 5, O: 2.23 / 2.23 = ...